Aliran’s Young Writers Workshops: Taking a stand, making a difference

In response to requests from youths for writers’ workshops, Aliran is organising a series of four workshops for young writers.

Aliran believes the youth of today have an important role to play in creating a better Malaysia. Apart from being involved by voting and attending talks and peaceful assemblies, it is equally important for the youth to be empowered to create and exchange ideas for change.

In response to requests from youths for writers’ workshops, Aliran is organising a series of four workshops for young writers (18-35 years) with the support of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

Through these workshops, we hope youths will be inspired to embark on a journey of writing to share their ideas with a wider audience.

Selected articles from these four workshops – which may be written in either Bahasa Malaysia or English – will be uploaded to the Aliran website aliran.com

Certificates of Participation will be awarded to participants who complete the entire two days of the workshop.

Workshop 4 (Ipoh):

14-15 Febuary – Writing about good governance, gender and vulnerable groups

Venue: Kinta Riverfront Hotel and Suites, Ipoh

Lead facilitators:

• Dr PremaDevaraj – Aliran Exco member, Aliran e-Newsletter Co-editor and Trainer
• Henry Loh – Aliran Asst Secretary, Aliran e-Newsletter Coordinator and Co-editor
• Dr Francis Loh – Aliran President, political scientist, researcher and writer

Guest resource person: Jacqueline Ann Surin, Writer and Editor of The Nut Graph.

In this workshop, participants will explore the meaning of vulnerable groups, the varied impact of gender on these groups and the role good governance can play in addressing the needs of marginalised groups. The unequal power hierarchy in society which leads to different types of discrimination in society will be discussed.

With a deeper understanding of these issues, participants will be better equipped to put their soon-to-be acquired writing skills to share their ideas in articles that will challenge the sources of these discriminations and violations of rights.

Lunch and two tea breaks will be provided free. (A nominal registration fee of RM10 per workshop will be collected. Participants are expected to bring their own laptops.)

To register, fill up the form here.

Note: Participants are expected to attend the full two days of each workshop.

Previous workshops already completed:

Workshop 1 (Penang)

17-18 January (Sat/Sun) – Writing about good governance and democracy: Getting involved

Venue: Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort, Tanjung Bungah

Lead facilitators:

• Henry Loh – Aliran Asst Secretary, Aliran e-Newsletter Coordinator and Co-editor
• Anil Netto – Aliran Hon Treasurer, blogger and freelance writer

Guest resource person: Himanshu Bhatt, veteran journalist and news editor

We will explore the principles of Competence, Accountability and Transparency and how they are linked to principles of democracy and good governance. Participants will be encouraged to look at how youths, the leaders of tomorrow, can make a difference by channeling their creativity and idealism into articles that will inspire change.

Lunch and two tea breaks will be provided free. (A nominal registration fee of RM10 per workshop will be collected.)

Workshop 2 (Penang)

24-25 January – Writing about deepening democracy: Creating space for youth in federal, state and local governments

Venue: Rainbow Paradise, Beach Resort, Penang

Lead facilitators:

• Dr Francis Loh – Aliran President, political scientist, researcher and writer
• Nicholas Chan – Aliran member, Aliran TA Online writer and researcher 

Guest resource person: Himanshu Bhatt

In this workshop, participants will distinguish between the various levels of government. We will explore the centralisation and decentralisation of government and its impact on civil society, in particular, the youths. Participants will then be better equipped to engage with different levels of government to effect change and to write about their aspirations.

Lunch and two tea breaks will be provided free. (A nominal registration fee of RM10 per workshop will be collected.)

Workshop 3 (PJ)

31 Jan/1 Feb – Writing about multiculturalism: Respecting one another, celebrating differences

Venue: Shah’s Village Hotel, PJ

Lead facilitators:

• Prof Zaharom Nain – Aliran Exco member and media and communications specialist
• Dr Christopher Chong Eu Choong – Aliran Exco member and co-editor of Aliran’s e-newsletter
• Douglas Teoh – Aliran TA Online writer

Guest resource person: Citizen Nades, Columnist with theSun

Given the current climate of politically motivated ethnic and religious tension, this workshop will help participants to understand the background to the current situation. It will challenge the notion that Malaysians are at the brink of an ethno-religious conflict. Participants will be encouraged to reach out through critical yet sensitive articles to raise awareness, ultimately celebrating our differences.

Lunch and two tea breaks will be provided free. (A nominal registration fee of RM10 per workshop will be collected.)

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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